Ajax is willing to sell defensive prospect Jorrel Hato this summer, with Liverpool among the clubs linked with the teenager. Hato, 19, has established himself as Ajax’s first-choice left-back this season but is also comfortable operating as a central defender.
The Reds are interested in signing a new center-back during the summer transfer window after being left light in the position on occasion this season.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been mainstays under Arne Slot, but Joe Gomez’s hamstring surgery and Slot’s seeming lack of trust in Jarell Quansah, who has started just one Premier League game since August, have left the club considering its options.
Liverpool is also keen on a new left-back, so Hato’s versatility could appeal to the Reds. A long-term successor to Andy Robertson is high on the club’s summer agenda.
Robertson turned 31 in March, while Kostas Tsimikas, who will also enter his 30s next season, has not shown enough to suggest he is capable of replacing the Scotland international.
Dutch journalist Mike Verweij reported that Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested in Hato, who is a senior Netherlands international. Verweij said: “Ajax has spoken to Chelsea about Hato. But he has also been linked to Liverpool and Arsenal.
“That is what you want as a Dutch club. That also happened with Lisandro Martínez, and then the price can go to a level that makes you really happy. They will be rubbing their hands with glee.
“I don’t think Ajax will care much whether he goes to Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool. Because then he will become a player for the main prize again.”
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Hato was reportedly in attendance for Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Ipswich at Anfield in January. Several eyewitnesses claimed to have seen Hato in the stands, and that was not beyond the realms of possibility considering Ajax did not have a match that weekend.
Liverpool’s squad has a strong Dutch contingent, with Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo all key players under head coach Slot, who is also Dutch.
Hato addressed speculation surrounding his future during the January transfer window, saying that he had no intention of leaving the club midway through the season, but would not commit his future to Ajax beyond the summer.
“I read it all,” he said of the transfer speculation, “but I also know that not everything was right. For my development, the best thing is that I stay at Ajax now.
“I’m not thinking about leaving Ajax this winter, and I remain with that decision. I want to finish the season with Ajax.”
